IIHS compiled its list based on important safety criteria with teens in mind. Recommendations for teen autos are based on four criteria:

Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. Vehicles with more powerful engines can tempt them to test the limits.

Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash. There are no minicars or small cars on the recommended list. Small SUVs are included because their weight is similar to that of a midsize car.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.

Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible. At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test, acceptable ratings in the IIHS side crash test and four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Those vehicles considered "best" choices are under $20,000 used (prices from the Kelley Blue Book on July 1, 2014). All the recommended used vehicles have standard ESC and provide good protection in moderate overlap front crashes. These autos also have good ratings for side crash protection, good head restraints and seats for rear crash protection, and good roof strength to protect occupants in rollover crashes.

IIHS' best used midsize cars for teens are listed below and on the following pages, from most expensive to least expensive: